How to maintain the cleanliness of their facility and the quality of their supply is one of the owners of water storage tanks’ top concerns.
Water that has been stored has a variety of uses, including washing, cleaning, and cooking. It just occurred to me as I was beginning to write this article that I haven’t paid my water bill in months. Fortunately, I still have water in my storage tanks in case they turn it off before I pay. How then can water be kept fresh in a storage tank?
Purchase a tank that is opaque so that no light can enter to promote algal growth. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, and keep screens and filters in place to keep contaminants from entering the tank. Each year or two, physically clean the tank, and when the water is cloudy or smells, add measured amounts of chlorine.
Continue reading to learn how to maintain fresh water in a storage tank.
Table of Contents
Preparation
Unless you start with the correct storage tank, your water supply may be compromised, and a galvanized metal tank or a polyethylene tank with a Starting with UV rating is wise. The water pressure for showers and other uses improves as you store the tank higher., but it will need to be very stable as water is heavy. A 660 gal (3000 L) tank can cause significant damage if it falls since a gallon weighs 8.3 lbs (8 kg) and an eighth of a liter (L) weighs 8 kg.
Algae in water do not grow well in colder regions but use photosynthesis to reproduce, so avoid any tanks that do not block out sunlight 100%. Algae cannot grow in a tank that does not allow light to enter.
If you live in a warm to hot climate, think about shielding the tank from direct sunlight because other kinds of bacteria that affect water can flourish where temperatures are high. The best time to do this was when the tank’s placement was initially decided.
Because they can pierce the plastic, don’t store water tanks close to kerosene, pesticides, or other similar materials.
Place a filter close to the inlet to catch debris from the roof if you are filling the tank from the house gutters. A dust cover is also a good measure to keep storage tank water fresh, as it keeps out both dust and light.
How To Keep Water Fresh In A Storage Tank?
1. Get Yourself A Water-storage Device.
Despite how obvious it may seem, many people who purchase a water storage tank do not choose the right one. If you want to keep your supply secure for use in food, always look for a food-grade tank. A polyethylene or stainless steel water tank that has been designated as “food-grade” was made using non-toxic materials. For instance, check to see if the pipes and fittings are lead-free. If your water has a lead content of more than 10 micrograms per liter, according to the standardized water guidelines, it is unsafe to use for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.
2. Keep An Eye Out For Tank Elements That Might Affect The Water’s Flavor.
Your water supply may occasionally acquire certain tastes from water tanks. One example is the metallic taste that can be present when filling galvanized tanks. This is a result of extra zinc leaching. Additionally, freshly installed concrete tanks may release too much lime, raising the pH and possibly imparting a bitter flavor. Acidic water is frequently supplied from other kinds of storage tanks.
3. Pick An Opaque Water Storage Container.
An important factor in preventing the growth of algae is the color of a water storage tank. Algae growth may be facilitated by sunlight passing through water tanks made of light-colored plastic. As a result, your water harvest will eventually become almost useless. If you didn’t know, algae are a particular kind of bacteria that can transport toxins that are harmful to all living things. That includes your plants, your animal, and you.
4. Apply Bleach Or Chlorine To Eliminate Algae.
It says OR, not AND if you want to be sure. In other words, choose one or the other. For every 1,000,000 parts of water, 4 parts of chlorine may be added. Your supply will still be secure to use for irrigation or drinking at this low ratio. Another choice is to add 1/4 teaspoon of bleach to each gallon of water you store. Just be careful with these ratios since too much bleach or chlorine in your water can be harmful.
5. Install The Device In A Cool, Dark Area.
As a result, your water storage tank won’t develop any algae. Of course, if you mount it indoors, make sure it’s not next to where you keep fuel or other substances that give off vapors. If installing it outside is your only choice, look for a location that will shield it from the sun.
6. At Least Every Six Months, Clean The Appliance.
Both polyethylene and stainless steel water tanks should have their units cleaned twice a year. Naturally, you can do it more frequently if you have the luxury of time. Make sure to completely drain the tank before cleaning it with bleach or a chlorine solution.
How Long Is It Safe To Store Water?
Water itself does not go bad indefinitely, but pathogens and microbes that enter the water cause issues, much like fleas do on a cute puppy. If you take out the “fleas” in your water, your water gets back to being pure, so is the puppy bad? Yes, water can become so toxic that it never becomes pure again, but this won’t happen in your storage tank.